Liquid electric resistance



1'. HHWOOLLISCR T.

LIQUID ELECTHKC RESISTANCE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 17. 1916.

Patented Nov. 23, 1920. I 2 SHEETS--SHEEY J. H. WOOLLISCROFT. LIQUID ELECTRIC RESISTANCE; APPLICATION FILED APR. w. l9l6..

1,360 ,069. Patented Nov. 23, 1920.

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'IlII/Ill YII /I/l o 5;; 25 ,2 i2 4. ti 23 -n q UNITED STATES JOHN H. WOOLLISCROFT, OF GREAT CROSBY, NEAR LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND.

LIQUID ELECTRIC RESISTANCE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. L3, 1920.

Application filed April 17, 1916. Serial No. 91,693.

Y '0 all whom it may concern Be it known that T, JOHN HAnoLn l/Voon Liscnor'r, a subject oi. the King of Great Britain, residing at Great Crosby, near Liverpool, in the county of Lancaster, in the Kingdom of lilngland, have invented certain. new and useful Improvements in Liquid Electric Resistance, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to improve ments in arrangements for altering the resistance in an electric circuit of the type in which a conducting medium flows by gravity from one chamber to another at :1 predetermined rate. 7

According to the present invention a liquid resistance is provided where electrolyte can pass by percolation from oncchamher to another to alter resistance in an electric circuit in an effective and eflicient inanner. The chambers are interconnected in such manner that air or gas can move from one chamber to the other to allow a tree percolation of the electrolyte in the reverse direction.

Further the chambers have communications with the outside or atmosphere such that as liquid passes from one chamber to the other the enterin liquid displaces gases of electrolysis from tiiat chamber to the outside. while the liquid leaving the other chamber induces air in equal volume from the outside.

In the arrangement of the present invention the medium, usually liquid, may flow gradually into the chamber containing electrodes in known manner but is arra nged to be able to flow rapidly from the said elec trode chamber so that the circuit is slowly made and rapidly broken.

The present invention is more particularly describedwith reference to the accompanyin g drawings, in which Figure 1 is an outside elevation of one form of the device, while Fig. 2 is a part sectional view corresponding thereto.

Fig. 3 is an outside elevation of a modification.

Fig. at is a view corresponding to Fig. 3, showing the parts in a different position.

Fig. 5 is a view of a valve being a detail I of the device shown in Figs. 3 and 4-.

The drum 1 is formed of two semi-cylindrical parts united together and mounted on trunnions 2. The casing is provided with an trolysis through the vent hole 50. liquid will draw in fresh air automatically operating handle 3 whereby it may be moved about the trunnions 2.

T he drum 1 is divided into two portions 7 and 8 shown equal but if desired, can also be ui'icqual, by a diaphragm l. An electrode 5 is mounted in one chamber 7, insulated from the casing 1., which may form the other electrode. The casin g is weighted as at 0 so that it normally lies in such a position that the electrode 5 is completely out of connection with the conducting liquid, such as the solution oi an electrolyte which will lie in the cha nbe S, to partly fill the same.

The diaphragn'i iis provided with a hole or holes 10 shown very enlarged so that liquid may percolate through from one chamber 8 into the other chamber 7 of the casing 1. The diaphragm is provided with a plate valve 9 pivoted at a. point 10 and if desired provided with a plate 10 or counterweighted, to insure the trapping of the liquid in the chamber 8. The hole or holes above mentioned to allow the liquid to pass from one chamber 8 to the other may be arranged at the abutting faces of the plate valve 9 with the diaphragm 4.

In operation of the device the casing is turned about the pivot 2 by means of the handle 3. The electrolyte then previously lying in the circular bottom of the chamber 8, will bear on the valve 9, the weight of the water serving to hold this closed. The electrolyte will then percolate through the hole or holes provided. into the chamber 7 and commence to cover the electrode 5 to an increasing degree, reducing the resistance between electrode 5 and the casing 1.

Vhen it is desired to replace the full resistance in circuit, or in fact open circuit, the handle is returned to the position shown in Fig. 1 V point 10 of the valve 9 is not arranged midway along the valve, but at one side, two openings are simultaneously provided, the electrolyte or liquid being adapted to pass through the maximum opening to the empty chamber 8 at the lower portion, with practically no restriction or disturbance, while the air displaced passes into the other chamber through the top-portion of the valve.

The rising liquid in the chamber 8 acts as a piston driving out the gases of ell eie as required through the port 37.

A 110-voltage coll or controlling magnet Owing to the fact that the pivotal 11 is arranged on the frame 12 supporting the casing l and is provided with an armature having a hool; catch 13 adapted to engage a catch ii on the casing 1. ll hen the casing is turned by means of the handle from the position shown in full lines in Figs. 1 and 2 to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. the catch is will engage with the heel; is and the hook will hold the casing in this position against the tendency of the cmurtenwehrht to return it to the normal full line position.

in Fig. l of the drawings, the motor is indicated at M, the two main lines furnishing current to the motor are indicated at (L and t. The line a is connected to one of the brushes oi the motor. The line I) is connected to the pivot ot the case. and tlllli throi gh this pivot to the casing. The line I; leat ing to the other brush in the. motor is a part of the main line 7) and this line 0 is con..ected to the arm 15. The arm 15 is adapted to make contact with a seg ment 1'56 wlii h is insulated from the casing r to he insulating pin 55 supi circuit with the electrode 5.

f seen that the resistance above d iii-own in o the line l; leading to "fire as: 18 is separate from the "nent and is di cctly connected to the tasing so that, it the arm 15 makes contact with the post 18, then the resistance will he cut out and current through the line '0 will pass to the pivot 2- and thus to the casing and through the casing to the post lb and from the post 18 through the line 0 to the brush of the motor.

The electromagnet 11 is provided with the usual coil and on terminal of this coil is connected through a line to a resistance ll which may he the nel i motor and thus to one of the ln'ushe; ot the motor. The other term :ial oi the coil of the electro-magnct ii is connected to a terninal c and through this terminal to a line 7 which is connected to the insulated terminal 33 and also to a terminal g of an elec tro-niagnet 17. The other terminal III of this clec-tro-magnet 17 is connected by the line 2' with the main line 7). The switch S is a short circuit switch used for cutting out the electro-magnet l1. lVhen the casing is in the dotted line position and held by the locking catch the armature carrying this locking catch wil hold the catch in locking position so lor as the coil oil the electro magnet is encrg red. It the circuit is broken. then this catch will release the armature and will release the latch 13 and this will 'elease the casing. so that it will :wing again to the full lin position.

It will be noted that the contact- 38 is normally covered by the electrolyte in the casing and this establishes a circuit between this terminal and the casing. \Vhen the easres "tancc ot' the ing is turned to the dotted line position, the electrolyte begins to slowly run through the opening or openings 1bto the side l" of the casing, gradually redu.:ing the resistance as the motor gets under way. As soon as the electrolyte uncovers the terminal 3h. then the current is broken between the terminal 38 and the casing with the following result :--The electro-magnet 17 is shunted across, the main lines being connected. on the one hand, with the line 7) and on the other hand, through the resistance It with the line a. Except for the connections through the terminal 38. current would be supplied to this elcctro-imignet as soon as current turned on the lines. but the terminal 38 serves to short circuit the conne tiou through the electroanagnct ll. therciorc when the current. is first turned on the clcc tro-magnet 17 is not iniluei'uzcd. 'lhe shunt circuit for the electro-magnet short circuited through the contact and the clcctrolyte and casing. Just as soon. therefore, as all the resistance thrown out of the main line. then the terminal do is uncovered, the electro-niagnet energized. and operating upon the arniai are it. will swing the arm 15 from the dotted line posilioll. shown in Fig. l, to the full line position shown therein, and when the cas' is in the dotted line position, then this u if) will contact with the post is and thl. cuts out the resistance. lt will thus be apparent that the resistance can he thri in for starting and after it has been grad duced to a minimum amount. it wil matically cut out. The casing. however. will remain in the dotted line position during the operation of the motor.

Should the current decrease below a predetermined value the armature of the novoltage coil 11 releases the catch 13 so that the casing 1 will automatically turn back by reason of the counterweight 6 into the initial position shown in full lilies in Fig. 2, so that open circuit is again obtained or in certain construction the whole resistance can be again placed in circuit. lVhen the liquid has completely passed through one electrode chamber 7 to the other chamber 8, the valve 9 will close so that it can then only return to the chamber 7 through the leakage holes in the diaphragm 4: or by leakage through the faces of tlieiiilat-e valve 9.

11 opening closed by a plug 19 is arranged in the base of the casing 1 whereby the apparatus may be filled 0r emptied of its conducting liquid or electrolyte.

In the modified construction of Figs. 3 and i an arrangement is shown whereby the short-circuiting movement is. operated mechanically by the movement of the liquid in the chamber. In this case the valve 9 as shown diagrammatically in Fig. 5, is provided with a counter-weight 20 and catch 21 adapted to move against an arm 22 of a bell crank lever mountedin the side of the casing 1 when there is no longer any weight of liquid on its upper face tending to hold the valve 9 in the closed position. Consequently when the liquid has leaked through to the electrode chamber the counter-weight 20 will cause the valve 9 to Swing about its pivots and move thearm 22 of the bell crank lever so that its other arm 23 moves against a spring controlled catch 25 which has beer. engaging a catch 26 arranged on the arm 27 of the bell crank contact lever, the arm 15 of which operates similarly as in .the construction described above. That is to say, passing from the position shown in Fig. 3 a loose finger 28 mounted on the side otthe casing and operating between stops 29, as the handle 3 is turned over moves against a pin on the arm 27 and turns this down into the position illustrated in Fig. 4 so that the catch 26 engages with the spring catch 25 and this contact arm is therefore held in the position illustrated in Fig. 4. It is held here until there is no further resistance on the valve 9 when the counter-weight 20 operates to release the catch 25, whereby the arm 27 under spring control will move over on to the contact 18 to short-circuit the resistance.

The holes allowing for passage or leakage of the electrolyte from one chamber to the other can be if desired regulated from an outside source so that the rate at which resistance is cut out of circuit may be made as slow or as rapid as may be desired depending upon the work required of the device.

It will be seen that a great advantage of this arrangement is that it is impossible to cut out resistance too fast when starting up the motor while when the motor is cut out, the circuit across the electrode is very rapidly broken thus rendering the sw tch substantially fool-proof and easily manipulated.

It will be understood that while this device has been described with relation to an ordinary starter it might easily be adapted for a regulator for reversing electric mo tors.

I declare that what I claim is 2- 1. An electric liquid resistance comprising a pair of chambers, electrodes in said chambars. a mass of liquid, means o provide rapid passage of said liquid by gravity in one direction, and means to control percolation by gravity at apredetermined slow rate of the liquid in the reverse direction.

2. An electric liquid resistance comprising a chamber, electrodes, a partition dividing said chamber into two parts, a oneway valve in said partition, electrodes, and means to transfer air and gas from one side to the other as liquid passes by gravity in the reverse direction.

a chamber, electrodes, a partition dividing. said chamber into two parts, a two-passage one-way valve in said partition, air or gas inlet and exhaust means to saidchamber, and a mass of liquid electrolyte passing from one chamber to the other by gravity.

5. An electric liquid resistance comprising two chambers, electrodes, means connecting said chambers to allow flow of liquid from one chamber to another by gravity at a predetermined. slow rate, and means connecting each chamber with the atmosphere.

6. .An electric liquid resistance comprising twoelectrodes, a mass of liquid operating as an electrolyte, and a valve connecting said chambers to allow rapid passage of liquid by gravity in one direction and slow percolation by gravity in the other direction.

7. An electric liquid resistance comprising two chambers, electrodes, a mass of liquid, a plate valve connecting said chambers, pivots-carrying said plate valve, and means to allow said plate valve to open in one direction only while allowing slow percolation of the liquid by gravity when said valve is closed.

8. An electric liquid resistance comprising two chambers, electrodes, a mass of liquid, a plate valve connecting said chambers, pivots carrying said plate Valve unsymmetriwally situated with regard to it so that liquid may pass through the large half in one direction as gas passes through the small halt in the other direction, and means to constrain said plate valve to open in one direction only while allowing slow percolation or the liquid by gravity when the valve is closed.

9. An electric liquid resistance comprising two chambers, electrodes, a mass of liquid, a diaphragm separating said two chambers, a plate valve in said diaphragm extending from the periphery of said chambers to beyond the center, pivots supporting said plate valve substantially at the center of the diaphragm and unsymmetrically of the plate valve, and means to constrain said plate valve to open in one direction only while allowing slow percolation of liquid by gra ity when said valve is closed.

10. An electric liquid resistance comprising a drum, a partition dividing said drum into two parts, electrodes in one part, a mass of liquid electrolyte, trunnions supporting said drum centrally, means to turn said drum on said trunnions, means to allow percolation by gravity of said liquid through said partition, means to control the entry or exhaust of air and gas to the two parts of said drum, a counterweight for holding said drum in a predetermined position, and a catch for holding the drum in the position with the part having the electrodes uppermost.

11. An electric liquid resistance comprising a drum, partition dividing said drum into two parts, electrodes in one part, a mass or. liquid electrolyte, trunnions supporting said drum centrally, means to turn said drum on said trunnions, means to allow pcrcoh tion by gravity of said liquid through said partition, means to control the en ry or exhaust of air and gas to the two parts 01"- said drum, a catch for holding the drum in the position with the part having the electrodes uppermost, and means to return said drum automatically to the position in which theis beneath.

ii. in electric liquid resistance comprising a drum, a partition dividing said drum into two parts, electrodes in one part, a mass or liquid electrolyte, trunnions supporting said drum centrally, means to turn said drum on said trunnions, means to allow percolation by gravity of said liquid through said partition, means to control the entry or part with the electrodes exhaust of air and gas to the two parts of said drum, and means to rapidly transfer ciectrol te from one part to the other in the opposite direction to said percolation.

iii. :in electric liiprid resistance comprising a drum, a partition dividing said drum into" two parts, electrodes in one part, a mass of liquid electrolyte, trunnions supportin said drum centrally, means to turn said drum on said trunnions, means to allow percolation by gravity of said liquid through said partition, means to control the entry or exhaust of air and gas to the two parts of said drum, a counterweight for holding said drum in a predetermined position, a catch for holding the drum in the position with the part having the electrodes uppermost, and means to rapidly transfer electrolyte from one part to the other in the opposite direction to said percolation.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto signed my name this 23rd day of March 1916, in the presence of two subscribing wit- Witnesses A. \roron Aimis'rnoNG,

H. H. WA'rson. 

